Weightlifter hopes to win Olympic medal

Ghana weightlifter Alberta Ampomah hopes to win a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games despite her late invitation to the competition.

Ampomah, who placed third in the clean and jerk division during the African Olympic qualifiers, only received her invitation to the Games three weeks ago after the International Weightlifting Federation granted her a wild card.

Speaking to www.liquidsportsghana.com at her base in Plymouth, Alberta Ampomah said she plans to make the most out of the opportunity she has been given by grabbing a medal during the Games.Â â€œI have the hope that I can get a medal, she said adding that, â€œIâ€™m having a feeling that by Godâ€™s grace I will get a medal at the Olympics but it all depends on how many people will be in my class (75kg +).â€

Ghana appeared to have lost out on a place in weightlifting when Madagascar beat Team Ghana to fourth place on superior medals at the African qualifiers in March.

Alberta admits she was delighted when she received the news about qualification later on. â€œI was very surprised and at the same time very happy because I didnâ€™t expect to be at the Olympics. The Olympics is a lifetime dream, so I was very happy.â€

The Olympic debutant also admitted that her preparation for the Games has not been that ideal saying, â€œItâ€™s not been easy. Iâ€™m cool with what we have done though. As a weightlifter you have to be ready for anything at anytime. You have to be prepared always. Iâ€™m okay with my preparation and everything.â€

Team Ghana is currently camping at Plymouth to acclimatise to local conditions ahead of the Olympics but Alberta acknowledged that prevailing conditions are tough for her, â€œthe weather is very bad. If you have some pains, then the weather will not be good for you because it is going to be very difficult for you to train here. But itâ€™s a little bit warm where I train so Iâ€™m okay with it.â€

Alberta Ampomah first competed on the international scene during the 2010 World Youth Olympics where she won a bronze medal.